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One might speculate whether Cricket Australia deliberately prefers to be opaque about player availability or simply lacks effectiveness in public relations, but yet again, the fitness of players and the makeup of the XI must be inferred from the 14-player squad announcement for the Brisbane match.

Normally, an identical team list would not be much news, but on this occasion it is, thanks to the possible movement involving both key players, none of which has come to pass.

Cummins is the surprise for his omission, with the team skipper and fast-bowling leader progressing in rehabilitation from initial symptoms of a stress fracture. The sole official statement was a cursory line with the squad release stating that “Pat Cummins will travel to Brisbane to continue his preparations.”

Suggestions from within CA indicate that everything is on track and his recovery remains happily on track, with a likely addition to the side soon. Theoretically, Cummins could even join the Test squad in coming days if deemed fit by staff. But still, something the claims doesn’t add up.

Recalling when Cummins’ scans were cleared in last month, starting the clock on his buildup to match fitness, all public commentary from the player and timelines from CA indicated he would only narrowly miss the first Test and was scheduled to train at nearly full tilt with the team during the match. The head coach remarked, “Cummins will be fit to bowl in Perth, and people will be sitting there questioning why he’s not playing.”

Once Cummins got back to his home city following the team’s raucous two-day win, he was observed practicing in the New South Wales nets without any apparent limitations and, most notably, was training with a pink ball, presumably as readiness for the Brisbane day-night game.

So, why the change of plans, well over a month since he indicated requiring four weeks to build up bowling loads, and with less than a week to go in the Gabba? Not to mention, there are over a week’s break between Brisbane and the third Test. If the latter is Cummins’ destination, it will be over two months since he started training again.

This is acceptable: medical opinions evolve, doctors may be cautious, players can be cautious. It’s just peculiar is that during the high-profile Ashes contest in Australia’s calendar, the board officials seem not to think it necessary to provide any information about the skipper’s condition or the evolving status of either.

And if caution is the watchword with the captain, the reverse is true with the opener’s issue. He had muscle spasms in the first Test during brief periods on the field, preventing the regular batsman from playing his role in the match and from having any influence when he eventually batted. Even if his symptoms have subsided, the fact he’d not experienced them before surely leaves some risk that they might recur in the pressure of Brisbane.

His inclusion logically means he is due to resume the top order, even though his replacement scored a historic hundred in Perth. He wouldn’t be selected as a backup or to play lower. Once more, there is no confirmation about this, only the squad listing.

This doesn’t mean that teams should have to give a whole XI when announcing selections, and plans can change. But some plans are firmer than others, and given the way Travis Head’s explosive performance captured public attention, it would do no harm to clarify where those two players are due to bat. Some uncertainty in life is a good thing, but manufacturing it out of the clearly evident is unnecessary. For those aiming of engaging fans, communication goes a long way.